Elyse's Videos 🎬
Sixteen precious home videos documenting Elyse's earliest days, her surgical journey, and the milestones that made our hearts soar.
👶 The First Days — December 2000
Elyse was born December 20, 2000. These videos capture her very first days of life in the NICU at Miami Children's Hospital, before her open-heart surgery.
Second Day of Life
Just one day old — Elyse's very first full day in the world, tiny and strong.
⤓ Download videoDad Using Night Vision
Dad captures Elyse using the camera’s night vision mode — one of those quiet, tender moments in the NICU.
⤓ Download videoOpens Eyes
A precious moment — Elyse opens her eyes and takes in the world for the first time.
⤓ Download videoNine Days Old
Nine days after birth — Elyse rests in the NICU, preparing for the surgery ahead.
⤓ Download videoBandage Removed
A small but meaningful milestone — a bandage comes off, one step at a time.
⤓ Download video♥ Surgery & Recovery — December 2000 – February 2001
Elyse underwent her preliminary cardiac procedure on December 26, and her full arterial switch operation in early January 2001. These videos follow her courageous recovery.
Day After Surgery
The day after Elyse’s first procedure — resting, healing, and surrounded by love.
⤓ Download videoTwo Days After Surgery
Two days post-surgery and already showing signs of the fighter she is.
⤓ Download videoNew Year’s Day
Elyse rings in 2001 from her hospital crib — a brand new year full of promise.
⤓ Download videoLook at All My Wires!
Post open-heart surgery, Elyse is connected to monitors, tubes, and wires — the remarkable machinery keeping her safe.
⤓ Download videoLook — No Ventilator!
A huge milestone for any heart baby — Elyse breathes on her own. The ventilator is gone!
⤓ Download videoLook — No Tubes!
Another celebration — the tubes are out. Each one removed is a victory worth recording.
⤓ Download videoMom Learns to Bathe Me
A touching moment — Mom learns how to care for Elyse in preparation for going home. Such a tender scene.
⤓ Download videoMoving to My Own Room
Graduation from the ICU! Elyse moves to her own room — a major step toward coming home.
⤓ Download video🏠 Going Home & Growing Up
After months in the hospital, the day every family dreams of finally arrived. And from there, Elyse kept right on amazing us.
Going Home 🏠
The best day. After nearly three months in the hospital, Elyse finally comes home where she belongs.
⤓ Download videoElyse’s First Steps 👣
She walks! The moment every parent waits for — Elyse takes her very first independent steps.
⤓ Download videoCap & Gown 🎓
Elyse in her cap and gown — a proud graduation moment that reminds us just how far she has come.
⤓ Download video